Drake University Admissions: Everything You Want to and Need to Know
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Overview of Dowling College Drake University
Drake University is a private university situated in Des Moines, Iowa. Drake undergraduates can choose from over 140 majors in six colleges and schools. The university has a 10-to-1 student/faculty ratio and values the interaction between students and professors. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. The university’s work in the liberal arts and STEM earned it a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.
Enrollment
- Total Enrollment: 4,869 (3,015 undergraduates)
- Gender Breakdown: 42 percent male/58 percent female
- 94 percent full-time
Cost of Attendance Information
- Tuition and Fees: $42,840
- Books: $1,100
- Room and Board: $10,848
- Other Expenses: $3,700
- Total Cost: $58,488
Financial Aid Information
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 100 percent
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
- Grants: 100 percent
- Loans: 56 percent
- Average Amount of Aid
- Grants: $8,516
- Loans: $16,219
Academic Programs Offered
- Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Visual and Performing Arts
Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 89 percent
- 4-Year Graduation Rate: 68 percent
- 6-Year Graduation Rate: 76 percent
NCAA Athletic Programs
- Men’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field
- Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
Overview of Drake University Admissions
Drake University, which accepts just over two-thirds of applicants, has a moderately competitive admissions pool. The institution is test-flexible, meaning that students who do not want to submit test scores can choose to participate in an admission interview instead. Students applying for the National Alumni Scholarship, pre-pharmacy, pre-athletic training, and pre-occupational programs must provide SAT or ACT scores.
This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.
Admissions Data
During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Drake University had an acceptance rate of 68%. for every 100 students who submitted applications, 68 students gained admission, making Drake’s admissions process moderately competitive.
SAT Requirements and Scores
Applicants to Drake with a mean GPA of 3.0 or over can provide SAT or ACT scores to the school or t participate in an interview instead. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 19% of admitted students provided SAT scores.
This admissions data show us that of those students who provided scores during the 2018-19 admissions phase, most of Drake’s admitted students fall within the top 20% on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Drake scored between 580 and 680 on the reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 580, and 25% scored over 680. 50% of admitted students scored between 560 and 680 on the math section, while 25% scored below 560, and 25% scored above 680. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1360 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Drake.
ACT Requirements and Scores
Applicants to Drake with a mean GPA of 3.0 or over can provide SAT or ACT scores to the school, or choose to participate in an interview. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 77% of admitted students provided ACT scores.
This admissions data shows us that of those students who provided scores during the 2018-19 admissions phase, most of Drake’s admitted students fall within the top 26% on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Drake received a cumulative ACT score between 24 and 30, while 25% scored over 30, and 25% scored below 24.
GPA
In 2019, the mean high school GPA of Drake University’s freshman class was 3.68. This data suggests that successful applicants have primarily A grades.
Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission
If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Drake University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Drake University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.
Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of Alabama, University of Texas at Arlington, Pace University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach
Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission
If you’re a competitive candidate for Drake University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.
Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy, Texas Christian University, University of Oklahoma, Hofstra University, Auburn University, Temple University
Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge
These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Drake University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.
University of California, Santa Barbara, Stony Brook University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, American University, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Applying to Drake University
Application Deadline: Rolling
Undergraduate Admissions Website:
https://www.drake.edu/admission/first-yearstudents/
Undergraduate Application Link(s):
https://apply.drake.edu/apply/?sr=de0d5eaf-3107-4e86-a35f-5a9cbbbc120f
Graduate Admissions Website: https://www.drake.edu/admission/graduate/
Graduate Application Link(s): https://apply.drake.edu/apply/